Originally published May 9, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 9, 2007 at 2:02 AM
Norovirus suspected in nearly 25% of Sammamish school's students
Nearly a quarter of Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary School students in Sammamish were home sick on Tuesday, and county health officials suspect...
Seattle Times Eastside bureau
Nearly a quarter of Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary School students in Sammamish were home sick on Tuesday, and county health officials suspect it could be a norovirus outbreak.
More than 120 of the school's 560 students were out sick, and 15 more were sent home during the day, said Kathryn Reith, spokeswoman for Lake Washington School District. Nine staff members were out sick Monday and eight had stayed home sick Tuesday. The district heard that some parents kept their children home as a precaution, Reith said.
No other schools in King County reported high numbers of ill students this week, but it's not uncommon to see waves of these kinds of illness move through schools and other institutions, said James Apa, spokesman for Public Health -- Seattle & King County.
The agency has not confirmed the cause through lab work, but based on reports from the school's nurse, the agency believes that norovirus is the likely culprit, Apa said.
Norovirus is a common virus that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, fever and headache.
Most people recover within a day or two, although people who are infected are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill until at least three days after symptoms end, according to Public Health information.
Nearby Margaret Mead Elementary, with more than 600 students, reported just over 10 percent of its students out sick on Monday. By Tuesday, all but about 20 students were back to school, Reith said.
Districts are required to notify the county's public-health agency if more than 10 percent of the student enrollment is out sick.
So far this year, Public Health has had 45 reports of norovirus outbreaks in institutions such as schools, nursing homes and hospitals throughout the county, Apa said.
Public Health also sees at least a handful of schools every year in which 20 percent or more of students stay home sick, Apa said.
In February, Bishop Blanchet High School in North Seattle voluntarily closed down after more than 300 of the Catholic school's 1,080 students called in sick, mostly with flu symptoms.
Blackwell Elementary, which teaches kindergarten through sixth grade, plans to be open today.
![]()
The school is reinforcing hygienic steps, such as asking students to frequently wash their hands, wipe down their desks and clean any frequently touched surfaces, said Nancy Johnson, health services supervisor for Lake Washington School District.
Adult helpers are also serving students at the school's salad bar during lunch. Normally, students help themselves, she said.
"It's very contagious," Johnson said. "There's an emphasis in hand-washing and sanitizing the environment. And stay home if you're ill."
Rachel Tuinstra: 206-515-5637 or rtuinstra@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
Greenwood merchants nervous after 3 more arsons
UW to honor war heroes with Medal of Honor memorial
NEW - 11:14 AM
Conte pleads guilty in racketeering case
County foot-ferry routes cut; money may go to buses

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
261 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
261 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
201 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
169 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
132 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
128 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
83 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
83 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
82 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
71
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene





